Tile vs. Vinyl: Which Should You Choose?

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Though you may not think about it often, your floor brings together every design aspect of your home. Choosing the right flooring style can truly transform your space — even when you don’t make any other interior design changes. If you’re stuck wondering why a certain room in your house just doesn’t look quite right, it could be time to update your floors.

Two of the most popular floor types among homeowners are tile and vinyl. Each offers unique benefits that appeal to certain lifestyles. While heavy traffic areas require a durable floor that endures wear and tear, bathrooms and kitchens need a water-resistant floor.

Of course, your needs are specific to you, so you know what you need better than anyone else. If you’re having trouble deciding between tile and vinyl, we’re here to help. Learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of tile and vinyl flooring below so you can decide which is suitable for you and your home.

The Pros and Cons of Tile Flooring

This is a versatile floor type that can be made from various materials, such as clay, ceramic and porcelain. Using tile for flooring has been done for centuries, and it continues to be a popular choice among homeowners. Most tiles are made by shaping the raw material and firing it in a kiln. This process has been streamlined since tile first gained its popularity and has made it easier for homeowners to install tile in their homes at various price points.

Most often, tile is placed in kitchens, bathrooms and other areas in homes that require water-resistant flooring. The method used to grade tile is called the Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) rating scale, which ranks tiles on a scale from zero to five. The rating your tile should have will depend on where you plan to install it, so it’s a good idea to talk to a professional to help you determine what tile PEI rating would be best.

Before choosing a tile floor, you should know its pros and cons.

Pros

The benefits of tiled flooring are far-reaching, and include:

• Easy maintenance: Because tile is naturally stain-resistant, it’s easy to clean and keep looking fresh. Simply use a simple mop or brush to clean up any messes.
• Water-resistant: The material of tile makes it a water-resistant flooring option, perfect for busy homes where spills happen more often. The material’s water resistance also makes it an excellent choice in places where humidity levels are high, such as laundry rooms.
• Durable: Thanks to tile’s sturdy composition, you can ensure it’ll stand up against wear from everyone in your home.
• Affordable: Compared to other types of flooring, tile is an affordable material. While prices will vary based on which type of tile you choose and the size of your room, homeowners don’t typically pay much to have tile installed in their homes.
• Longevity: Specifically, porcelain tiles last longer and are even more resistant to damage than ceramic tiles. These features make porcelain a popular choice among homeowners, as they lead to a high return on investment (ROI).
• Allergen-resistant: Both ceramic and porcelain tiles improve indoor air quality and don’t trap allergens, making them a great flooring option when someone in your home suffers from allergies.
• Style variety: As technology has advanced, the options for tile floors have grown exponentially. Choose from a variety of colors, patterns and finishes to complement each room.

There are many reasons why tile would make a wonderful addition to your home. The material’s durability and water resistance make it a solid choice for homeowners with active lifestyles or families with children or pets. The long lifespan of porcelain tiles is also appealing because families can make the investment and feel comforted knowing their tile floor will last them a long time.

Cons

However, you should know about a few drawbacks of tile flooring before making a decision:

• Heavy: The considerable weight of tile can make it difficult to install on upper-level floors. If you want to put a tile floor in an upstairs room, check with a professional first to determine whether your home’s structure can withstand the weight.
• Slippery: The material’s hardness makes it a slick surface — and in a humid environment, falls become more likely. Fortunately, you can prevent accidents from happening by laying down rugs or mats to provide traction. Because tile doesn’t absorb heat well, laying down a rug or mat will help keep your feet warm as you walk across it.
• Grout maintenance: Debris can get trapped into the grout of a tile floor, so tile requires more elbow grease to deep clean.
• Damage prone: If tile is installed incorrectly, your floor may be more likely to fracture. If you’re looking to install a tile floor in your home, be sure to work with a qualified professional, so you don’t have to deal with any unnecessary damage.

Ultimately, tile floors are stunning additions that can elevate your home’s appearance. The choice to install tile will be determined by your own needs, style preferences and lifestyle choices.

The Pros and Cons of Vinyl Flooring

A vinyl floor is made of synthetic material that’s shaped into planks and composed of multiple layers that protect it from damage. Many homeowners are drawn to vinyl because it can imitate the appearance of other flooring types, such as hardwood or tile, yet is easier to maintain.

In particular, luxury vinyl is another popular option to consider as it uses advanced techniques and technology to improve vinyl’s existing benefits. This specific kind of vinyl can replicate textures, making it a more advanced and accurate copy of other flooring types.

Outfitting your home with vinyl floors is a significant decision you should carefully consider. That’s why we’ve outlined some of the most practical reasons to choose vinyl and its potential drawbacks.

Pros

These floors have grown in popularity over the years and are becoming a standard fixture in many homes. That’s no surprise, considering the number of advantages vinyl flooring boasts. Here are a few of the main reasons homeowners are switching over to vinyl:

• Durability: How long can vinyl flooring last? It includes a protective layer that prevents damage, such as scuffs, tears, scratches and cracks. This durability makes vinyl a suitable choice for an active home where flooring damage is more common.
• Water-resistant: The same protective layer that keeps vinyl from being damaged easily also prevents moisture absorption. The decreased chance of water damage makes vinyl an excellent choice for bathrooms, kitchens or other humid rooms in your home.
• Easy installation: Some styles of luxury vinyl can be installed as a floating floor, meaning it can be laid over top of a subfloor with interlocking pieces, rather than using a strong glue to adhere it to the subfloor.
• Affordable: In some cases, vinyl can be more affordable than high-quality ceramic tile. This aspect appeals to homeowners who are looking for a less expensive alternative.
• Realistic appearance: One of the best features of luxury vinyl is that it can mimic the look and feel of wood or tile at a reduced cost. Elevate the appearance of your home without having to make a significant investment in real hardwood or high-quality tile.
• Various styles: As a synthetic material, you can customize vinyl in a variety of ways. Choose from multiple color options and finishes to perfect your dream floor.

This style of flooring’s central appeal is its ability to imitate other flooring patterns and textures. The durability of vinyl also makes it an excellent option for households that experience plenty of foot traffic. By installing vinyl, you can get the look and feel of another type of flooring with a few better features.

Cons

There are a few drawbacks to consider before making a final decision regarding vinyl installation. The disadvantages of vinyl include:

• Not as sustainable: The manufacturing process for vinyl involves chemicals that may reduce the indoor air quality of your home. Additionally, vinyl is made from petroleum, which is a nonrenewable resource. Fortunately, some retailers are researching new ways to make vinyl more environmentally friendly.
• Difficult to repair: While vinyl rarely sustains heavy damage, it’s harder to fix when it does. This is because some installation processes involve gluing the vinyl planks or tiles to the subfloor, and it requires more effort to lift those components for a replacement.
• Influences resale value: In some cases, low-quality vinyl can do more harm than good regarding your home’s value, making it hard to find a favorable return on your investment. If you opt for a vinyl floor, be sure to look for high-quality material and have it properly installed so you can retain your home’s value.
• Susceptible to UV damage: When vinyl is exposed to the sun, it’ll fade after some time. The colors can become muddled, and you may need to make replacements. Prevent that from happening by installing vinyl in a room with little ultraviolet (UV) exposure or installing curtains over windows to block out excess light.
• Longevity: Though vinyl flooring can last for several years, it’s still susceptible to damage and fading over time and will need to be replaced to keep it looking fresh.

Trends show that vinyl is only going to become more commonplace in homes as time goes on. There are various reasons one might choose to switch to vinyl, but the decision comes down to your personal preferences and lifestyle.

The Differences Between Tiles and Vinyl

Both tile and vinyl floors offer a wide range of benefits for homeowners — and each comes with drawbacks. There’s some overlap with either flooring type, such as their cost efficiency and resistance to damage. There’s also a significant difference in their drawbacks, so consider all aspects when deciding between the two.

Below is a quick recap of the pros and cons for tile and vinyl so you can make side-by-side comparisons and decide which flooring option would be best suited to you.

Overall, homeowners with large families and active lifestyles will want to go with something more durable. If you’re on a budget, you may choose to go with vinyl so you can still get the look of tile without the cost. If you or someone in your home has allergies, you may choose tile due to its natural resistance to allergens. Look at each pro and con carefully, considering your design style and the activity in your household to make a decision.

Shop for Quality Tile and Vinyl at 50 Floor

Once you’ve determined which flooring type is right for you, it’s time to choose from your many options and have it installed in your home. 50 Floor can supply you with a wide range of choices for colors, finishes, visuals and effects. Customize your floor based on your needs and interior design choices so you can bring your dream home to life.

Whether you choose tile or vinyl, 50 Floor brings you quality, affordable flooring and assistance at every step of the process. Schedule a free in-home consultation with us to see our options in your home and compare our samples to your current decor. Then, we’ll help you pick the floor best suited to you, and our professional staff will take care of the installation process.

Get started today and find a floor you love!

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